2024 ANNUAL REPORT
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
ABOUT WSIA
The Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) is a world-class member service organization representing the entirety of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry.
WSIA’s membership consists of 762 member firms, including U.S. Wholesale, U.S. Insurance Market, Associate and Service members, representing tens of thousands of individual brokers, insurance company professionals, underwriters and other insurance professionals worldwide conducting business in the U.S. surplus lines market.
WSIA members of all shapes and sizes gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace through active participation in the only association dedicated specifically to the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines insurance industry.
MISSION
The Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association is the non-profit association of professionals and specialty market leaders dedicated to the wholesale distribution system. The Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association represents the interests of its members and the valuable role they play in the insurance market through networking, education, talent recruitment and development, regulatory and legislative advocacy for the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry, and by promoting the value of the wholesale distribution channel.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
DEAR WSIA MEMBERS,
On behalf of the WSIA Board of Directors, I am honored to present the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association’s 2024 Annual Report showcasing the association’s key achievements and strong financial position over the past year. This report is a testament to our collective success as an association and industry.
In 2024, WSIA reached new milestones that reflect the industry’s remarkable growth and resilience. Attendance at WSIA networking events were record setting, demonstrating the value of these events for members. Our summer internship programs hosted record numbers of students considering careers in our industry, and contributions to the WSIA PAC reached new highs from a record number of supporters. This level of engagement underscores the importance and impact of WSIA’s work.
The strength of our industry lies in our ability to address evolving trends and risks. This same set of values drives WSIA to continuously evolve and enhance the value it provides to members. In 2024, we expanded legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts to help ensure that members can provide important insurance options and solutions for emerging and excess risk. We also continue to expand our talent outreach to create more opportunities for students and also
equip WSIA member firms and individuals with resources to advance their own recruiting and retention of top-notch talent.
WSIA’s financial health is robust. We continue to maintain a sufficient operating reserve, as guided by the WSIA Board of Directors, ensuring the association’s ability to support future initiatives. Sound governance and fiscal responsibility have WSIA well-positioned to meet the needs of our growing membership.
The dedication of our members is central to WSIA’s success. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the 382 committee volunteers and countless others who contribute as presenters at WSIA education programs, student symposiums, conduct campus visits, and serve as hosts and mentors to our interns. Your time, expertise, and leadership are invaluable, and our collective achievements would not be possible without you.
As we look ahead, I am confident that WSIA and the wholesale, specialty, and surplus lines industry will continue to thrive. I am also confident your ongoing support of WSIA’s mission, programs, and events will return far more to you and your firm than your investment.
Thank you for your commitment to WSIA and for your role in driving our industry forward.
Brenda (Ballard) Austenfeld WSIA Chair
WSIA MEMBERSHIP
During 2024, the Membership & Ethics Committee reviewed 89 new membership applications and approved 18 U.S. Wholesale, 15 U.S. Insurance Market, 4 Associate and 44 Service Member applications.
U.S. Wholesale
WSIA COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS BY THE NUMBERS
WSIA’s 382 committee volunteers in 2024 had a combined
• 1,491 years of committee service
• 73 of those committee volunteers were new in 2024
• 40% are U.S. Wholesale Members
• 37% are U.S. Insurance Market Members
• 7% are Associate Members
• 5% are Service Members
• 28% are also members of WSIA’s U40
WSIA MEMBERSHIP
WSIA’s 2024 Annual Report is a high-level overview of the association’s fiscal year financial performance and accomplishments on behalf of members. This year’s report continues to highlight stability and growth for the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry, as well as the association and its benefits for members. The WSIA team collaborates with the Board of Directors and a dedicated group of nearly 400 committee volunteers to help ensure we deliver a significant return on your firm’s investment in membership each year.
The association is dedicated to providing premier networking and business events, education programs for all types and sizes of firms, and high-caliber representation and advocacy for the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry. Your support of WSIA, the WSIA Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation and the WSIA Education Foundation is vital and appreciated.
Brady R. Kelley CEO & President
WSIA’S VALUE PROPOSITION
The Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association is the only trade association that serves the entirety of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry. WSIA strengthens members’ competitive advantage in the insurance marketplace by promoting the market and value of wholesale distribution, protecting and advocating for an effective regulatory and legislative environment, supporting business through networking and enabling professionals with education, professional training and talent development opportunities.
NETWORKING & EVENTS
WSIA members rely on the association for the unparalleled networking opportunities offered at Underwriting Summit and Annual Marketplace. These events, and the Insurtech Conference and U40 Connect, provide WSIA member professionals from all sizes and types of firms to network, conduct business meetings and enhance their industry knowledge.
UNDERWRITING SUMMIT
The Underwriting Summit offers designated time for networking and business meetings for the underwriting, delegated authority, program specialist and professional and financial lines segments of the WSIA membership, as well as firm leadership.
2024 Event Highlights:
• 1,603 members from 347 member firms participated in Phoenix, AZ, March 3-6, 2024, setting an event record with a 9% increase over 2023.
• Entrepreneur, television personality and retired professional boxer, Laila Ali, was keynote speaker, and WSIA Annual Business Meeting and award recognitions were featured during the Opening Breakfast.
• Participants were: 36% Wholesale Market Members, 35% Insurance Market Members, 16% Associate Members and 11% Service Members.
INSURTECH
The 2024 Insurtech Conference focused on industry disruption through digital transformation and sessions highlighted the why and how of developing a digital strategy, with solutions to streamline the distribution chain and enhance the customer experience. In addition to sessions, attendees networked during receptions and meetings in the Exhibit Hall with sponsors and exhibitors.
2024 Event Highlights:
• 417 industry professionals participated in Austin, TX, April 7-10, 2024.
• Those participants came from 147 different member firms.
• 50 exhibiting firms participated in the Exhibit Hall.
• 44 speakers presented on a variety of technology topics.
• An Insurtech Pitch Competition featured innovative new ideas and products from nine start-up firms.
ANNUAL MARKETPLACE
Annual Marketplace is the premier wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry event. Members attend the event for networking and business meetings throughout the week in the Brokers’ Lounge and The Club.
2024 Event Highlights:
• 8,322 registered participants, from 776 member firms, participated in San Diego, CA, September 22-25, setting an event record with an increase of 9% from 2023.
• Participants were: 44% Wholesale Market Members, 37% Insurance Market Members, 12% Associate Members and 6% Service Members.
• Events and meetings were headquartered at both the Manchester Grand Hyatt and Marriott Marquis to accommodate growing attendance.
• WSIA hotel room blocks were available at 15 additional hotels
• WSIA supported The Lucky Duck Foundation and the Youth Assistance Coalition in San Diego in advance of Annual Marketplace. Both organizations have strong grassroots leadership from insurance professionals in the area and are fighting homelessness in the city.
U40 CONNECT
The U40 Connect is a forum for under-40 wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry professionals for education, exchange of industry information, volunteer service and networking.
2024 Event Highlights:
• 206 U40 members from 59 firms participated in Chicago, IL, October 27-29, 2024.
• Participants were: 45% Wholesale Market Members, 44% Insurance Market Members, 8% Associate Members and 2% Service Members.
• Professional development sessions, industry education, peer-led discussion panels, and networking.
• Service event to support Children’s Place Association, a Chicago-based social service organization that benefits families and children.
WSIA helps members promote and protect their position in the insurance market by advocating for governing principles and objectives that lead to more uniform and efficient business operations within the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry. With the support and direction of the Legislative Committee and Board of Directors, WSIA represents its members before state and federal legislators, insurance regulators and other groups impacting the industry’s compliance and business practices.
The Political Action Committee (PAC) helps the association educate members of Congress, state legislators and state insurance commissioners about the importance and impact of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry on the nation’s economy. The PAC offers an influential voice on the industry’s complex insurance issues and can also offer financial support to candidates whose philosophies are consistent with the goals of WSIA and its members. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WSIA PAC TOTALED A RECORD $458,017 IN 2024.
IN 2024, THE ASSOCIATION:
• Invested $640,182 in state and federal advocacy services focused on:
O Protecting the surplus lines industry’s freedom from rate and form regulation to ensure that WSIA members can continue to provide coverage to insureds.
O Clarifications and improvements to laws governing surplus lines policy fees and diligent effort processes.
O Advocated for implementation of National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers (NARAB), the passage of Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation Banking Act (SAFER) and a long-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
STATE ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS
• Along with Florida Surplus Lines Association, worked to limit application of emergency provisions imposed upon the surplus lines industry following disaster declarations.
• Led and supported successful efforts to clarify the use of surplus lines policy fees in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
• Supported successful efforts to modernize diligent search processes in Colorado and Minnesota.
• Led passage of Alabama law to eliminate zero premium reports, tax sharing authority and reduce tax reporting requirements.
• Supported efforts in Louisiana to eliminate “three-year rule” and reform bad faith laws.
WSIA PAC
• Contributions to the WSIA PAC came from 850 individuals and totaled a record $458,017.
• Contributed $221,250 to state and federal candidates whose philosophies align with the goals of WSIA and its member firms.
• Released WSIA PAC Solicitation Toolkit to assist members with internal fundraising efforts.
• WSIA PAC balance exceeded $1 million for first time in its history.
“ EDUCATION
IN 2024, 736 MEMBER PROFESSIONALS PARTICIPATED IN 12 ON-SITE WSIA EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
WSIA provides a full slate of technical training, leadership and professional development programs to advance WSIA members’ employees’ careers. The association presents and develops programs for new and seasoned E&S professionals that are offered in a progressive format, so participants are appropriately challenged through every phase of their careers.
In 2024, 736 member professionals participated in 12 on-site WSIA education programs.
Excess & Surplus Lines – 113 participants
Marcus Payne Advanced E&S – 78 participants
Collaborative Selling and Negotiations – 77 total participants
Atlanta – 29 participants
Kansas City – 21 participants
Phoenix – 27 participants
Leader as Coach – 49 total participants
Kansas City – 20 participants
Phoenix – 29 participants
Underwriting Boot Camp – 71 participants
Technical Training: Hospitality – 25 participants
WSIA University – 231 participants
Surplus Lines Management – 47 participants
Executive Leadership Summit – 45 participants
Surplus Lines Fundamentals (online) – 172 member participants, 77student participants
WEBINARS
AND PODCASTS
WSIA hosted four free member webinars during the year, and 800 members participated during the live sessions or watched the recordings on demand.
Webinars were hosted on topics including The Empathy Advantage: Creating Inclusive Environments through Conscious Empathy, 7 Essentials for Creating Psychological Safety, Disability Inclusion in the Workplace and Becoming an Inclusive Leader.
The Education Committee also created and hosted a four-part podcast series on Artificial Intelligence, featuring knowledgeable industry experts. Video and audio-only formats are available on the WSIA website on-demand.
TALENT OUTREACH AND INTERNSHIPS
2024 INTERNS
WSIA develops awareness and interest in surplus lines career opportunities among young and emerging talent through campus and student visits, education opportunities, symposiums and career fairs and scholarships. The association’s Talent Outreach Committee, Internship Committee, and foundations collaborate on this work.
TALENT OUTREACH INTERNSHIPS
WSIA INTERNSHIPS
27 students with risk management course experience were selected as WSIA interns, and hosted by 31 WSIA member firms. Additionally, 15 students, who did not have previous RMI exposure, were selected and hosted by 13 member firms. All interns participated in a threeday orientation program in Kansas City prior to their first assignment and were paired with mentors for the summer. The top 17 interns were selected to participate in the Annual Marketplace. Two of the attending WSIA Interns were selected as our J.H. Blades and Carlton Maner Scholars; they and will study the London market in 2025. Two non-RMI track interns were selected to shadow an industry professional and the opportunity to work as a WSIA Intern for Summer in 2025.
TALENT OUTREACH
• The WSIA Talent Outreach Committees reached 3,691 college students with promoting career opportunities in wholesale, specialty and surplus lines with virtual and in-person presentations.
• With financial support from the WSIA Education Foundation, conducted four Extreme Risk Taker student symposiums.
o Extreme Risk Takers – Los Angeles | 108 student participants from 6 schools
o Extreme Risk Takers – Chicago | 199 student participants from 23 schools
o Extreme Risk Takers – Philadelphia | 68 student participants from 9 schools
o Extreme Risk Takers – Atlanta | 237 students from 15 schools
o 59 WSIA member firms participated in symposium career fairs with the opportunity to meet and talk with students from across the country during these symposiums.
OUTREACH AND INTERNSHIPS
• Participated in 4 Gamma Iota Sigma events and visited with 966 students during hosted career fairs and roundtable discussions.
o Continued a financial partnership with Gamma Iota Sigma, as a Sustaining Partner, focused on growth and diversification of the insurance industry’s talent pipeline.
• The WSIA Education Foundation committed a total of $137,500 to 52 students at 34 universities through the Derek Hughes Scholarship Program.
• Hosted the WSIA White Paper and Video Contests to expand surplus lines awareness and knowledge for risk management and insurance students. Students submit papers or short videos on one of three pre-selected topics and winners are awarded cash prizes.
o Video Contest - 6 participants from 5 universities researched and produced short videos on, “Rebranding the E&S Industry.”
o White Paper Contest - 17 participants from 8 universities submitted research papers on, “What current event/ trend do you see having the most impact on the E&S segment of the insurance industry and why?”
2024 AWARD HONOREES
To view a list of all past WSIA and legacy associations award honorees, visit www.wsia.org/awards.
VINCENT DONAHUE/CHARLES MCALEAR INDUSTRY AWARD
CARLTON MANER, LIFE MEMBER
Carlton Maner was honored with the Vincent Donahue/Charles McAlear Industry Award, the association’s highest distinction. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the association and the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry. It is named after Vincent Donahue and Charles McAlear who were pioneers of our legacy organizations. Donahue served as president of Jefferson Insurance Company and was instrumental in encouraging competitors to join AAMGA. McAlear initiated organizational efforts to form NAPSLO as the national surplus lines association in the early 1970s and served as its first president from 1975 to 1977.
Carlton was honored for his countless contributions to the Association and the industry. He served as a member of the Board of Directors between 2010 and 2023, the Executive Committee, and as Chair of the Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation since it was formed in 2020. He has been a tireless promoter of the Association’s value and work.
EARLE DILLARD AWARD
The Earle Dillard Award honors the contributions and outstanding service of a Committee Chair. The award is named after Earle Dillard, who served as president of Bloss & Dillard and as AAMGA President from 1973-1974. He led various AAMGA initiatives over many years, including the mid-1960s group that shaped many of the AAMGA’s operating policies and the formation of the AAMGA University Foundation in 1988.
GERALD DUPRE, CORE SPECIALTY
Gerald Dupre was honored with the Earle Dillard Award. He has served as Co-Chair of the Internship Committee since 2023. He has offered exceptional leadership to the tremendous growth in the program, the number of hosted interns, and the orientation program. His collaboration and leadership is greatly appreciated and invaluable for the committee.
WENDY HOUSER, MARKEL SPECIALTY
Wendy Houser was honored with the Earle Dillard Award. She served as Co-Chair of the WSIA Internship Committee in 2023 and 2024. During that time, she offered tremendous leadership and contributed heavily to the growth in the program. Her collaboration and investment in the committee is a testament to her support of the association and the industry.
RICHARD BOUHAN LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY AWARD
KATHY MCVANEY, AMWINS GROUP
Kathy McVaney was honored as the Richard Bouhan Legislative Advocacy Award recipient, which honors individuals whose advocacy helps advance the legislative interests of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry. It was created in 2006 in recognition of Dick Bouhan’s outstanding legislative work as Executive Director of the association from 1988 to 2011.
Kathy serves on WSIA’s Legislative Committee. She is a valued participant in Surplus Lines Law Group discussions and is a leader within the North Carolina Surplus Lines Association. Her advice and counsel greatly enhances WSIA’s advocacy program and its value to members.
DANA ROEHRIG AWARD
Named for Dana Roehrig, who served as the second president of NAPSLO, the award recognizes the efforts of outstanding volunteers to one of the association’s working committees.
DAVID
ARCHIABLE, GREAT AMERICAN RISK
SOLUTIONS
David Archiable was honored with the Dana Roehrig Award. He volunteers as a WSIA Education Committee member and as a presenter at WSIA education programs. He offers exceptional support and leadership to those programs and invests a great deal of time and talent to developing them to benefit all WSIA members.
BARB HABEL, ATAIN INSURANCE COMPANY,
A PART OF THE H.W. KAUFMAN GROUP FAMILY OF COMPANIES
Barb Habel was honored with the Dana Roehrig Award. Barb volunteers on the WSIA Education Committee and presents at WSIA education programs. She has been instrumental in helping develop new content to update existing programs and expand program offerings, and she commits tremendous energy to that.
AWARDS
WSIA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
THE WSIA EDUCATION FOUNDATION is dedicated to encouraging the educational development of all those interested in the excess and surplus lines business and to overcoming the misperceptions of the excess and surplus lines market.
During 2024, the WSIA Education Foundation invested $1.2 million in programs to encourage educational development of WSIA members and students interested in the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry, in addition to its ongoing support of the WSIA Talent Advoacy & Engagement Foundation. The WSIA Education Foundation ended fiscal year 2024 with $15.3 million in assets.
2024 investments included:
TALENT OUTREACH INITIATIVES
• Scholarships totaling $137,500 to 52 students through the Derek Hughes Scholarship Program, bringing the total invested to more than $1.6 million to 411 students since 1988.
• Administration of student-focused educational programs, symposiums, scholarships and grants to support and reward exceptional students who have an interest in an insurance career.
• Student-centered recruiting initiatives including:
o Four student symposiums and career fairs for risk management and actuarial science students.
o Grants totaling $8,250 to university risk management and insurance programs that increase awareness and visibility of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines market.
o Grants to support college and university development of curriculum focused on the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines segment.
o Financial partnership with Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) to facilitate growth in the talent pipeline for the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry by premiering WSIA, the WSIA Education Foundation, the WSIA Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation and WSIA member firms at GIS events and programs.
MEMBER-FOCUSED EDUCATION INITIATIVES
• $56,895 in registration fees, lodging and travel stipends to 24 WSIA members to participate in WSIA education programs.
• Support of the 29 newly conferred Associate in Surplus Lines (ASLI) designees, bringing the total to 2,859 since 1997.
• Sponsorship of the 2024 AM Best Special Report — U.S. Surplus Lines Market Review, an important tool for the industry and WSIA members.
• Continued work with Georgia State University to enhance the role of the WSIA Distinguished Chair in Risk Management and Insurance and its value to WSIA members with facilitation of an education session at WSIA University.
• Support from the E.G. Lassiter Lecture Series to fund exceptional speakers during WSIA’s Annual Business Meeting.
• An ongoing commitment of $1 million to the WSIA Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation to support its initiatives.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR
Danielle Wade Jackson Sumner Associates Boone, NC
VICE CHAIR
David Nelson Nationwide E&S Scottsdale, AZ
SECRETARY
Matt Lynch Risk Placement Services, Inc. Minneapolis, MN
TREASURER
Kristen Skender Jimcor Agencies Pittsburgh, PA
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Nick Abraham Amwins Global Risks London, UK
Maureen C. Caviston Amwins Group Stamford, CT
Dawn D’Onofrio WKFC Melville, NY
Annie Dawson XS Brokers Louisville, KY
Tripp Duesenberg Southern Insurance Underwriters Alpharetta, GA
Angie Fylak Nautilus Phoenix, AZ
Grace Grant Gamma Iota Sigma Powell, OH
Bob Greenebaum CRC Chicago, IL
Hank Haldeman Life Member Los Angeles, CA
Brady Kelley WSIA Kansas City, MO
Regina Kirwan GenStar Stamford, CT
Jennifer Larsen Erickson-Larsen, Inc. Maple Grove, MN
Michael Miller Pivix Specialty Insurance Services Scottsdale, AZ
Clint Nokes RSUI Atlanta, GA
Brian Van Cleave Huntersure Chicago, IL
Hollis Zyglocke Markel Specialty Henrico, VA
WSIA TALENT ADVOCACY & ENGAGEMENT
FOUNDATION INITIATIVES
THE WSIA TALENT ADVOCACY & ENGAGEMENT
FOUNDATION was founded in 2020 as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Its founding came after the WSIA Board of Directors identified enhancing the talent pipeline in the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines segment as a strategic initiative in 2019, with financial support from WSIA member firms and individuals committed to bringing the initiative to the forefront. Since its launch in 2020, the Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation has received pledges and contributions totaling $4.2 million from WSIA member firms, individuals and the WSIA Education Foundation.
WSIA TALENT ADVOCACY AND ENGAGEMENT FOUNDATION MISSION STATEMENT
The WSIA Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation was founded in 2020 to stimulate and attract a broad pipeline of talent for the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines insurance industry and to promote an Association and workplace cultures where all people have what they need to be successful in the industry.
The Foundation strives to:
• provide education resources and programs designed to cultivate a culture for WSIA and its membership where all people feel supported and have what they need to succeed in the industry;
• remove any barriers to enable all people to compete on a level paying field; and
• foster synergy with similar initiatives among all industry participants.
TALENT OUTREACH INITIATIVES
• Presentations to 717 students through informational sessions promoting insurance career opportunities at five colleges and INROADS.
o Talent Outreach and Internship Committee members did presentations for Prairie View A & M University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Southern California, University of Georgia, and Fisk University. They also participated in career fairs in Atlanta, Los Angeles and Dallas as well as a virtual fair through the College Diversity Network.
o Students from Fisk University, Alcorn State University, and Prairie View A & M University attended WSIA symposiums in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia through grants provided by the Foundation.
• Hosted 15 Interns to work with a WSIA member firm for nine weeks.
o Interns come to the program without RMI experience.
o Top seven interns attended Annual Marketplace; top two interns were selected to participate in the 2025 WSIA Internship Program, receive an additional $2,500 scholarship, and shadow industry leaders.
o A 2023 Talent Advocacy & Engagement intern, who earned a WSIA Internship in 2024, was also chosen as a J.H. Blades Scholar, for the first time.
o Seven former interns from 2023 and 2024 were selected for the 2025 WSIA Internship Program
• Supported Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) as a Sustaining Partner in its work to cultivate a more diverse talent pipeline for the industry. The GIS Foundation’s mission is to ensure equitable access to careers in insurance, risk management, and actuarial science by lowering the social and financial barriers for all students, regardless of background or means. WSIA staff, Brady Kelley, Chris Timmerman, and Vanessa Sims serve in volunteer capacities for GIS.
• Onboarded a new WSIA team member to focus exclusively on talent outreach and development with Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and colleges with a high population of students from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds.
FOUNDATION
MEMBER-FOCUSED TALENT ADVOCACY & ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES
• Continued partnership with Blue Ocean Brain, a microlearning platform that makes short, interactive videos, games and Talent Advocacy & Engagement lessons available to members.
o Increased number of lesson views to 11,312; a 10% increase over the prior year.
• Sent twelve monthly e-Newsletters to all WSIA members with a 35% open rate.
• Increased The Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation’s LinkedIn engagement to 846 followers; a 30% increase over the prior year.
• Embedded inclusive leadership education into WSIA leadership programs.
• Offered five webinars to members including Emotional Intelligence, Neurodiversity: What It Is and What It Isn’t, Cultivating Inclusive Spaces, Disability Inclusion: Your Role in Disability Inclusion No Matter Your Title, and Developing and Maintaining Workplace Relationship Through a Lens of Inclusion.
o Recordings remain on the WSIA website to view on demand.
• Held five Talent Practitioners’ Forums, industry and member firms’ employee meetings, offering a place to learn and to share best practices such as Amwins Women’s Leadership Development Program, Cap Specialty’s program to attract talent through community colleges, the United Insurance Network collaboration, Link-USA’s LGBTQ+ workplace culture guidebook. Workplace culture conversations were facilitated for employees at Berkshire Hathaway Homestead Companies, the InsHER podcast, and the Black Women in the Insurance Industry conference.
o 700 member firm insurance professionals participated.
• Sponsored the NAIC’s 4th Annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference.
• Developed webpage and flyer with testimonials to raise awareness and promote careers in the industry to veterans.
BOARD AND ASSOCIATION GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES
• The Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation Board engaged in Conversation Learning Circles to broaden cultural awareness, increase comfort in having difficult conversations, and cultivate greater consciousness of leadership practices that embrace and value all individuals in the workplace.
• WSIA committee members participated in online training on enhancing wokplace culture. The lesson provided tools to help volunteers integrate their learning into their committee involvement.
• Member firms were offered the opportunity to acknowledge and support the WSIA Talent Advocacy & Engagement Statement. Six additional member firms have signed on to acknowledge their commitment, for a total of 19.
2024 WSIA TALENT ADVOCACY & ENGAGEMENT FOUNDATION INTERNS
“ This was really a great experience for me. I had no real career path I was pursuing, and this program is so detailed and in depth, which allowed me to find my passion for insurance. I’m grateful that WSIA has a program that allows business majors like me to learn about this. Anyone can find a passion in insurance.”
“ WSIA truly changed my life. Never have I felt so accommodated for. Everything about this experience only emphasized the abundance of opportunities in the field. Not to mention, the people involved in the process really do show concern for each and every intern. To all involved thank you so much.”
WSIA TALENT ADVOCACY & ENGAGEMENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2024
TALENT ADVOCACY & ENGAGEMENT FOUNDATION ROADMAP MILESTONES
Student and Talent Outreach
• Expand recruiting efforts to people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ communities.
• Leverage mentorship resources to extend connection with interns.
Member-Focused Culture
• Introduce sponsorship as a tool to grow and retain historically underrepresented talent.
• Launch inclusive leadership education.
• Build bias mitigation toolkit phase 2.
Association-Focused
• Seek member commitment to the anonymous survey reporting of demographic data in 2025.
• Offer resources to help firms in their commitment to diversifying leadership and boards.
Carlton Maner, Chair Atlanta, GA
Carey Bond Lloyd’s America Atlanta, GA
Tony Chimera Westfield Specialty Alpharetta, GA
Thurston (TJ) Davis Jr. RT Specialty Birmingham, AL
Gerald Dupre Core Specialty Atlanta, GA
Duffy Koller Paragon Excess & Surplus Lines Chicago, IL
Liz Kramer Munich Re Specialty Princeton, NJ
Phillip McCrorie RSUI Atlanta, GA
Marya Propis RT Specialty Buffalo, NY
Jacque Schaendorf Insurance House Atlanta, GA
Molly Shah Amwins Charlotte, NC
WSIA is committed to its members and to the wholesale distribution system. In honoring that commitment, WSIA messages the value of the wholesale distribution system to the retail marketplace by incorporating the benefits of the wholesale distribution system in all internal and external communications and consistently linking the key attributes of WSIA member wholesalers to the WSIA message. Additionally, WSIA proactively cultivates relationships to leverage earned media placements promoting the wholesale distribution system.
During 2024, WSIA:
• Hosted 112,166 user sessions on www.wsia.org, with 513,862 total pageviews.
• Invested $220,000 in the Wholesale Value messaging campaign in 2024, which generated an estimated $76,231 in earned editorial equivalence with 4.5 million impressions and an additional $3.7 million in paid advertising impressions.
• Delivered 143 WSIA newsletters and e-News updates to members, with an average open rate of 46.23%.
• Utilized LinkedIn to cross-promote WSIA News and events and provide members with an alternate way to learn and stay connected, and reposted WSIA Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation cultural awareness theme content across both profiles, tagging members whenever possible.
o Ended the year with 15,068 LinkedIn followers, an increase of 26% over 2023.
CHOOSE A
MEMBER
Sometimes you need a partner who can help you create the right solution for your client’s risk, while minimizing yours. Choose a WSIA member to craft costeffective solutions for complex risks.
WSIA’s net assets reached $19.7 million at December 31, 2024 with operating revenue and expense growth of 10.6% and 10.4%, respectively, from 2023. The most significant improvement in 2024 operating revenues resulted from the association’s 2024 Annual Marketplace in San Diego with a record 8,322 attendees, representing growth of 9% from our second largest contingent of 7,655 attendees at the 2023 Annual Marketplace. Operating expenses were up $1.3 million from the prior year, also driven primarily by growth in event attendance, a larger investment in state regulatory and legislative advocacy, and additional resources bringing the WSIA staff team to 20 employees.
The association continued to invest in valuable committee work, networking events and education programs, regulatory and legislative advocacy and important reforms for the industry, its communication campaign promoting the value of wholesale distribution, and the good work of the WSIA Talent Advocacy & Engagement Foundation and WSIA Education Foundation to develop a larger pipeline of talent for our industry. Three staff positions were added in late 2024, including the Director of Technical Operations, Event Housing Manager and Senior Manager, Talent Outreach & Strategic Relationships supporting the association’s operations and technical infrastructure upgrades, growth in the number of hotels we leverage for events, and expansion of our talent outreach programs. Furthering the association’s net revenue growth in 2024
was $2 million of investment income, including $502,514 of unrealized gains on WSIA’s investment portfolio, consistent with peer performance in 2024. WSIA’s net assets of $19.7 million at December 31, 2024 represent an operating reserve of 131% and places the association in a strong financial position.
The WSIA team and Board continue to carefully review and benchmark the association’s operating reserve to invest in events, programs and services whose value to members exceeds their annual membership dues. We also manage the reserve to maintain prudent financial strength for many years to come. WSIA’s financial statements and investment results are monitored by the Audit & Compliance Committee and were reviewed by independent auditors, Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. Their report included an unmodified audit opinion, no financial statement adjustments, and noted no weaknesses in WSIA’s internal control structure.
“
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN 2024 OPERATING REVENUES RESULTED FROM THE ASSOCIATION’S 2024 ANNUAL MARKETPLACE IN SAN DIEGO WITH A RECORD 8,322 ATTENDEES, REPRESENTING GROWTH OF 9% FROM OUR SECOND LARGEST CONTINGENT OF 7,655 ATTENDEES AT THE 2023 ANNUAL MARKETPLACE.
the Years Ending
COMMITTEE ROSTER
AUDIT & COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
CHAIR, Wendy Houser Markel
Nick Abraham Amwins Global Risks
Elizabeth Banks
Jackson Sumner & Associates
Samuel Carson
Burns & Wilcox
Jennifer Cunningham Atlantic Casualty Insurance Co.
Jim Damonte
Upland Specialty Insurance
Chris Greene
Canal Insurance Company
Mubarak Kahloan
Lexington Insurance Company
Duffy Koller
Paragon Insurance Holdings, LLC
Douglas Lang Convex Group Ltd.
Adam Law
RT Specialty
Jeff Lynn
Paragon Insurance Holdings, LLC
Stephanie Pooler Synapse Services LLC
Drew Stock
Upland Specialty Insurance
Shelby Zgnilec Burns & Wilcox
FOUNDATION INTERNSHIP COMMITTEE
CHAIR, Tony Chimera Westfield Specialty
Rahmad Bauldrick Burns & Wilcox
Jennifer Brown
Amwins Access
Patricia Chiodo Burns & Wilcox
Ryan Degale
Amwins Brokerage
Cecilia Espineli
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
Aneisha Goldsmith
Atrium Underwriters Limited
Carlos Herrera
RT Specialty
Ebony Hunt
Amwins Access
Molly Ireland
National Indemnity Company
Anita Jim
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
Jennifer Kessel
USG Insurance Services, Inc.
Anna Kodryanu Westfield Specialty
Stephanie Lawson Great American Risk Solutions
Camara Magaoay
Ironshore Inc.
Dalmona Reese QBE Insurance Corporation
Gerald Sheehan
Arthur J. Gallagher (U.K.) Ltd.
Kelly Sisson
RT Specialty
Alyxandra Wagner
RT Specialty
Meg Zuckerman
Upland Specialty Insurance
FOUNDATION TALENT
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
CHAIR, Thurston Davis
RT Specialty
Paul Adams
Argo Group
Anurag Batta
Bridge Specialty Group
Carey Bond Lloyd’s
Cassandra Ferguson RSUI
Lynne Fletcher CapSpecialty
Sherita Hardy Amwins Brokerage
Carlos Herrera RT Specialty
Julia Houk AJG - Gallagher Bassett
Molly Ireland
National Indemnity Company
Stephen Jones
Admiral Insurance Group
Anna Kodryanu Westfield Specialty
Carlos Marcano
London Underwriters, LLC
Ricardo Melchor
RT Specialty
Lakeisha Moore
Atlantic Casualty Insurance Co.
Breelin Motte Markel
Christopher Reilly Amwins
Kanika Scott
AXIS Insurance
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
CO-CHAIR, Daniel Kaufman
Burns & Wilcox
CO-CHAIR, J. Patrick Roe
Arlington/Roe
David Archiable
Great American Risk Solutions
Alexander Barton
Great American Risk Solutions
Adam Care
HSB
Bryan Clark
Gorst & Compass Insurance
Joshua Conyers
Preferred Specialty, LLC
Kimberly Curtis
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
Joe Dahlvig
Admiral Insurance Group
Cara Delestienne
Burns & Wilcox
Ken Distel
Atlantic Casualty Insurance Co.
Shammi Dowla
Amwins Brokerage
Gabriel Fox
Zurich
Angie Fylak
Nautilus Insurance Group
Cody Gambino
AmRISC, LLC
Eva Gonzalez
MUSIC
Barbara Habel
Burns & Wilcox
Jessica Hahn
XPT Specialty
Dani Harris
Treaty Oak General Agency
Barbara Ingraham
One80 Intermediaries
Harry Jardine
Aon Benfield Inc.
Ronald Keller
Tokio Marine HCC
Steve Kelly
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
Regina Kirwan
GenStar
Michael Kroll
Amwins
Paul Lefcourt
RT Specialty
Toni Leone
Great American Risk Solutions
Christopher Lewis
Zurich
Michael Marks
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
Tayler Marshall
Ryan Specialty Underwriting
Managers
Matt McColley
KW Specialty Insurance Co
Ricardo Melchor
RT Specialty
John Merchant
Falcon Risk Services
Natasha Morrow Amwins
Stacy Paquet
Nexus Underwriting
Riley Pickett
RT Specialty
Rick Pitts
Arlington/Roe
Hannah Poulson
Ironshore Insurance Services
Karen Preston Burns & Wilcox
Mark Rector
Lloyd’s
Jacqueline Schaendorf
Insurance House, Inc.
Christopher Schramm Argo Group
Tanner Sealey
Upland Specialty Insurance
Kristen Skender
Jimcor Agency, Inc.
Annemarie Sorensen
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
Rebecca Thomas Burns & Wilcox
Lisa Van Leuvan
Risk Placement Services
John Vedder
Bridge Specialty Grp.-Peachtree
Lihong Wang
International Risk Solutions Ltd
Chris Zoidis Atain Insurance Companies
EVENTS COMMMITTEE
CO-CHAIR, Patrick Albrecht
Associated Insurance Administrators, Inc.
CO-CHAIR, Phillip McCrorie RSUI
Stephen Adam
Upland Specialty Insurance
Reiko Akimoto At-Bay
Whitney Alt Velocity Risk Underwriters
Mamadou Bah
RT Specialty
Michelle Baldwin
Amwins Brokerage
Grainne Bohan
UFG Specialty
Shannon Dahlke Amwins Access
Angela Davis Amwins Brokerage
Randy Doss
CRC
Adriana Esposito
RT Specialty
Jason Feldman Berkley Program Specialists
Chris Giadrosich
Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions
Dawn Gordon Brown & Riding Insurance
Jon Grimsley
Great American Risk Solutions
Elizabeth Hayes AmRISC, LLC
Christie Hubbard Ascot Group
Kelsey Jules Amwins Brokerage
Katie Katzman Amwins
Addie Lopez
R.E. Chaix & Assoc. Inc.
Sarah Louis Amwins Brokerage
Ernest Lucatero Ironshore Insurance Services
Carmen McKeon
CRC
LJ Modafferi
Palms Specialty Insurance Company
Steven Moore
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
William Palmer Markel
Vladimir Peraza
CRC
Phoebe Phung
Core Specialty
Lisa Rodriguez
Brown & Riding Insurance
Caryn Siebert AJG - Gallagher Bassett
Lorin Smith
CRC
Serena Ter-Nersesian
Great American
Insurance Group
Kayce Thigpen
CRC
Steve Tralongo Markel
Daniela Valdevenito
Everest Insurance
Kasey Vaughn KGU, LLC
Greg Watson Amwins Access
Linda Yuan
Mission Underwriters
Michelle Yuko Amwins Brokerage
INSURTECH COMMITTEE
CHAIR, Veronica Davis
Atlantic Casualty Insurance Co.
Zach Blaetz Wholesure
Marciana Bradley Tokio Marine Specialty Insurance Co
Cristy Brewer Atlantic Casualty Insurance Co.
Jeffrey Brighton QuoteWell Insurance Services, LLC
Dan Brown Eversheds Sutherland
Mike Cavanaugh Fusion
Chasity Devasurendra
CRC
Mimi Dobbins
Jackson Sumner & Associates
Dana French
First Insurance Funding
April Bianca Henry Kleen
Great American Insurance Group
Arvind Kaushal
Cogitate
Kelly Maheu Vertafore
Kate Mazza
QuoteWell Insurance Services, LLC
Gilbert Orozco
Imperial PFS
Rich Pluschau
Falcon Risk Services
Joanna Prusinska
RT Specialty
Ryan Rafferty
USG Insurance Services, Inc.
Marie Reed
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
Abbe Sultan Flow Insurance Services
Tate Tooley
Bloss & Dillard, Inc.
Jason Wiley
Patra Corporation
Laura Wimmer
Crum & Forster
Surplus & Specialty Lines
Christyn Yoast
BOXX Insurance
INTERNSHIP COMMITTEE
CHAIR, Steve Boyd Bridge Specialty Group
Alexandra Angelico Amwins
Sara Aronovitz Burns & Wilcox
Milan Arpino Amwins Brokerage
John Bearden Amwins Brokerage
Maddie Beja Risk Placement Services
Bryson Belaire
Bridge Specialty Grp.-Hull & Co.
Matt Blessing
RT Specialty
Brett Blumencranz IFG Companies
Archer Brill Markel
Stacey Bullock Risk Placement Services
Gina Butchin Nautilus Insurance Group
Gabe Carrieri
XS Brokers Insurance Agency
Tony Chimera Westfield Specialty
Faith Cochran
CRC
Dan Confalone Markel
Megan Connors Westfield Specialty
Tammy Culmone Amwins Access
Meredith Dearing W/R/B Specialty
Matt DeBernardi RLI
Jim DeSimone AXIS Insurance
Douglas Dick Crawford & Company
CHAIR, Gerald Dupre Core Specialty
Renee Eldridge Markel
Scott Epstein
Novatae Risk Group
Heather Gay
AmTrust E&S Insurance
Bob Greenebaum
CRC
Carson Herron
Velocity Risk Underwriters
Troy Hidle
Amwins Brokerage
Nicole Hissong
Velocity Risk Underwriters
Hannah Huggins
RT Specialty
Ben Hughes
Upland Specialty Insurance
Kristin Jones
Amwins Access
Clif Kersey
Upland Specialty Insurance
Anna Kodryanu Westfield Specialty
Logan Krause
Bridge Specialty Grp.-Peachtree
Jeff Lamb
Markel
Colton Langsam
Burns & Wilcox
Brooke Leadbetter
Amwins Brokerage
Tricia Loney
DUAL North America
Noah Lucas
Markel
Robert Martin
CNA
Sam Marty
Great American Risk Solutions
Andrew May
Admiral Insurance Group
Adam Mazan
Risk Placement Services
Jonathan McKenzie
Commercial Sector Ins. Brokers
Katie Moran
GenStar
Shannon Nisi
Beazley Group
Anna Nix
Amwins
Nicole Noland
Aspen Insurance
Derek Pace
RT Specialty
Houston Pittman
Amwins Access
Jamie Ratowsky
RT Specialty
Allison Reagan
RT Specialty
Gary Romay
KW Specialty Insurance Co
Heather Schenker
Sentry Specialty
Meredith Scott
RT Specialty
Zachary Snow
Westchester
Erika Sreenan
RT Specialty
Bryant Steele
Burns & Wilcox
Alexandra Stoughton Westfield Specialty
Linsey Tabor Amwins Brokerage
Allison Thayer
Coaction Specialty Insurance Group
Chad Thibodeaux Amwins Brokerage
Chad Trainor
CRC
Cara Warren Amwins Brokerage
Sawyer Welnak Brown & Riding Insurance
Mariah Wilson
Amwins Brokerage
Ethan Witting AXIS Insurance
Gregory Woods GenStar
Alexander Wright Crum & Forster
Surplus & Specialty Lines
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
CO-CHAIR, Robert Sanders
Preferred Specialty, LLC
CO-CHAIR, Coryn Thalmann Jimcor Agency, Inc.
Tom Albrecht
WSIA Life Member
Erin Bagley Coaction Specialty InsuranceGroup
Joshua Bowen Crum & Forster Surplus & Specialty Lines
Michael Breeding Amwins Brokerage
Christian Brito
Greenberg Traurig
H. Michael Byrne
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
Jennie Carr
Arlington/Roe
Robert Carroll Crum & Forster Surplus & Specialty Lines
Kathy Colangelo
Bridge Specialty Group
Thomas DeCotis
DeCotis Specialty Insurance
Don Deising Specialty
David DeMott
Gridiron Insurance Underwriters
Crystal DePascual
Amwins Access
Andrew Diamond
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
Brian Dunn
XS Brokers - Southeast
Seth Fischer
W.H. Greene & Assoc., Inc.
Anthony Gawlik Amwins
Hank Haldeman
WSIA Life Member
Paul Hanley
CRC Group
Rachel Hanuschak
Lexington Insurance Company
Mallorie Harper
Markel
Michael Heinle
Burns & Wilcox
Ilana Hessing
Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers
Alan Kaufman Burns & Wilcox
Paul Laufer
Gorst & Compass Insurance
Daniel Maher
ELANY
Robert McEwen
The Parks Group, Inc.
Benjamin McKay
Surplus Line Association of CA
Kathy McVaney
Amwins
Jason Murrey
RT Specialty
Clint Nokes
RSUI
David Ocasek
Surplus Line Association of IL
D. Conor O’Leary
Shelly, Middlebrooks & O’Leary
Janet Pane
ELANY
James Roe
Arlington/Roe
Amanda Ruppel
CRC
Ben Schiffman
Crum & Forster Surplus & Specialty Lines
Mark Shealy
Florida Surplus Lines
Service Office
Lee Sjostrom
RSUI
COMMITTEE ROSTER continued
Bachman Smith
Johnson & Johnson, Inc.
Jerry Sullivan
G.J. Sullivan Co. Reinsurance
Colin Sullivan Ironshore Insurance Services
Josh Taylor
Novatae Risk Group
Tony Trenzeluk
Sentry Specialty
David Vanalek
Richmond National Insurance Company
Tiffany Way RT Specialty
Randy West AmRISC, LLC
Lindsay Williams Amwins Brokerage
MEMBERSHIP & ETHICS COMMITTEE
CO-CHAIR, Michael Garrison Navigators, a brand of The Hartford
CO-CHAIR, Jeff McNatt
Amwins Brokerage
Neil Baker
Shepherd Compello Ltd.
Kevin Bolger
Afco Direct
Andrew Bown Tysers
Jim Dowdy
Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers
Ross Driscoll
National E&S Insurance Brokers, Inc.
Dennis Dunne Trigon, Inc.
Jeff Fields Markel
Michelle Fisher
Sompo
Lindy Gardner
Admiral Insurance Group
Andrew Grim
Brown & Riding Insurance
William Hildebrand
PPS Specialty Underwriters, Inc.
Jennifer Hopson
Munich Re Specialty, Syndicate
Samuel Hufstedler Tenco Services, Inc.
Justin Ingram Amwins
Michael James Lockton Re LLC
Julia Keenan
Lexington Insurance Company
Neil Kessler CRC
Matt Lynch Risk Placement Services
Alexander Mortimer RT Specialty
Jeff Short Brown & Riding Insurance
Chris Siegel Burns & Wilcox
Van Spanos Core Specialty
Kevin Sullivan AmTrust E&S Insurance
PAC COMMITTEE
CO-CHAIR, Cristi Carrington Brown & Riding Insurance
CO-CHAIR, Christa Nadler Risk Placement Services
Matthew Brady Burns & Wilcox
Cliston Brown
Surplus Line Association of CA
Ben Bruhn
Amwins Brokerage
Yana Connors
Ck Specialty Ins. Associates
Zac Crosley CRC
Mimi Fiske Markel
Pierson Jones Ascot Group
Fred Karlinsky
Greenberg Traurig
Christina Mannino Crum & Forster
Robert Peele Collins & Lacy, P.C.
Bernadette Rousseau
Flow Specialty Insurance Services LLC
Bryan Sanders Markel
Scott Smith RSUI
Andrew Thatcher Crum & Forster
Surplus & Specialty Lines
TALENT OUTREACH COMMITTEE
CHAIR, Danielle Wade
Jackson Sumner & Associates
Andrew Adams
River Valley Underwriters
Josh Ammons
Amwins Brokerage
Jessie Berger
Upland Specialty Insurance
Leslie Bingham Navigators, a brand of The Hartford
Devon Borisoff
Monarch E&S Insurance Svcs.
Alyssa Bouchard
Gamma Iota Sigma
Macie Brown
Lexington Insurance Company
Christopher Carlson
CRC
Timothy Chaix
R.E. Chaix & Assoc. Ins.
Trish Christensen
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
Robert Costa
Great American
Insurance Group
Kellie Dainton
Berkley Program Specialists
Andrew Davidson
Risk Placement Services
Thurston Davis
RT Specialty
Graham Doran
Palomar Specialty
Insurance Company
Brett Dresner
Amwins Brokerage
Ross Driscoll
National E&S Insurance
Brokers, Inc.
Kari Edwards
AmRISC, LLC
Samantha Fritch
Amwins Brokerage
Bill Gatewood
Burns & Wilcox
Albert Geraci
Risk Placement Services
Nick Graham
Nautilus Insurance Group
Reggie Haggans
Navigators, a brand of The Hartford
Tracy Henderson
Insurity
Ryan Hite
RLI
Kristen Ilsemann
Munich Re
Anita Jim
Nationwide E&S/Specialty
Daniel Kennedy
Markel
Victoria Killingsworth
Core Specialty
Lee Koonce
Beazley Group
Perri Leung
Crum & Forster
Surplus & Specialty Lines
David Lewison
Amwins Brokerage
Matt Madar
Core Specialty
Sharon Mielke
Markel
Brian Mulvihill
Crum & Forster
Surplus & Specialty Lines
David Neri
WAHVE
Elaina Nicholson
Risk Placement Services
Leah Ohodnicki
RT Specialty
Giselle Palladino
Arthur J. Gallagher (U.K.) Ltd.
Stephen Pannucci
Zurich
Robert Pienta
Johnson & Johnson
Jennifer Porter
Munich Re
Bob Quillman
Burns & Wilcox
Rebecca Roberts
Burns & Wilcox
Allison Sellers
Great American Risk Solutions
Brian Sloan
Dellwood Insurance Group
Britt Smith
AXIS Insurance
Brandon Stevis
GenStar
Matthew Terry
RSUI
Lily Van Elderen
Markel
Caroline West
Lexington Insurance Company
Hollis Zyglocke
Markel
LEADERSHIP
OFFICERS
CHAIR
Brenda (Ballard) Austenfeld RT Specialty Naples, FL
VICE CHAIR
Phillip McCrorie RSUI Atlanta, GA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECRETARY
Patrick Albrecht Associated Insurance Administrators, Inc. Montgomery, AL
TREASURER
Wendy Houser Markel Specialty Dallas, TX
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Dave Obenauer CRC Group Charlotte, NC
WSIA TEAM
Liz Bermond
Senior Office Coordinator
Ruth Crocker
Senior Manager, Talent Outreach & Strategic Partnerships
Lynley Darkow
Assistant Director of Events
Susan Henderson Director of Communications
Debbie Hill Director of Events
Lindsay Holland Education Program Manager
Brady Kelley CEO & President
Keri Kish
General Counsel and Policy Director
Chelsea Lenhart Event Manager
Denise Marshall Student Programs Manager
Monica McAtee Director of Education
John McCrary Technology Operations Manager
John Meetz Director of Government Relations
Frosty Mohn Director of Technology Operations
Lauren Schley
State Relations Analyst
Ana Serra Event Housing Manager
Vanessa Sims Director of Talent & Culture
Emily Stubbs Controller
Elizabeth Tice Marketing Coordinator
Chris Timmerman
Senior Manager of Student Relations
Steve Boyd Bridge Specialty Group San Diego, CA
Cristi Carrington Brown & Riding Seattle, WA
Veronica Davis Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company Goldsboro, NC
Gerald Dupre Core Specialty Atlanta, GA
Michael Garrison Navigators, a brand of The Hartford Red Bank, NJ
Danny Kaufman Burns & Wilcox Farmington Hills, MI
Lou Levinson Lexington Insurance Co. New York, NY
Jeff McNatt Amwins Indian Harbor Beach, FL
Christa Nadler Risk Placement Services Rolling Meadows, IL
Patrick Roe Arlington/Roe Indianapolis, IN
Robert Sanders Preferred Specialty, LLC Columbia, SC
Coryn Thalmann Jimcor Agencies Montvale, NJ
Danielle Wade Jackson Sumner & Associate Boone, NC